9th October 2015, by Cumbernauld LL

Opens for applications on Monday 19 October

Could your greenspace project benefit from funding?  If so, then get ready for a new community grant programme! 

The first funding round of the programme opens for applications across Scotland, England and Wales on 19 October and will close on 30 November. This will be your first chance to submit an application for a grant of up to £12,000 to create better and happier places where you live, although there will be two funding rounds per year over the next three years. The grants programme is managed by Groundwork, working with with greenspace scotland, and funded by Tesco customers from the proceeds of the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags as a result of a government carrier bag levy.

Tesco has 428 store regions across Britain (48 in Scotland) and there will be six grants in each region per year to make sure the funding is spread widely across the countries. You’ll easily be able to find details on our website on which Tesco region your project falls under when the scheme opens for applications. In total the programme will support around 2,500 projects each year. You’ll need to make your application online – so be sure to check the Tesco website www.tesco.com after 19 October for details on how to apply. Look out for the special ebulletin from greenspace scotland with more information.

Because we’re expecting there to be a major demand for grants, Groundwork will first assess all of the applications received and then provide a shortlist of the applications received for a Tesco regional panel to agree three successful projects to go forward to a public vote.  Local Tesco customers will then be able to vote for a local project over two weekends.  Applicants at this stage will be awarded grants as follows:

• 1^st place in Tesco customer vote:  £12,000 grant
• 2^nd place in Tesco customer vote:  £10,000 grant
• 3^rd place in Tesco customer vote:  £8,000 grant

Checking your project is eligible

The grants programme will be open to voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, health bodies, community councils, development trusts, local authorities and housing organisations.  It will fund capital projects that provide community benefit and have free and open access to all members of the community for a minimum of six days a week, during daylight hours. 

Projects that would typically receive funding include: 

• Parks, pocket parks and urban greenspaces
• Green corridors – river and canals, cycle ways
• Formal and informal play areas
• Open access sports facilities within public parks and recreation grounds – e.g. football pitches, tennis courts and cricket pitches
• Informal outdoor recreation facilities – e.g. gym equipment, trim trails and woodland walks
• Nature reserves, community woodlands and ponds
• Churchyards
• Seafronts
• Community allotments, community gardens, orchards and city farms

Full eligibility criteria and detailed application guidance will also be available online. 

There’s no match funding requirement to access this grant, but the grant should be the majority of the funding required for your project, which should be a stand-alone project or a discrete, self-contained part of a larger project or part of a phased project and will need to be delivered within six months of receipt of the grant.  You will also need the landowner’s permission and, if required, planning permission.   

It’s nearly time to apply

Get ready now to make sure you’re part of the first round of funding on 19 October and lets make sure Cumbernauld makes the most of this opportunity. If you are looking for support in developing your ideas for a site in Cumbernauld get in touch with the Living Landscape manager imackenzie@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.